And follow the public health fundamentals and help end this pandemic, no matter where you liveget vaccinated or boosted ASAP; if you live in an area with low vaccination rates, wear an N95, , don't travel, social distance, avoid large crowds, don't go indoors with people you're not sheltering with (especially in bars), practice good hand hygiene, a, nd to ensure your health don't miss these, Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Sinus infections and COVID are not caused by the same things. A lost of smell or taste is a pretty clear indication its COVID-19, for instance. This may be present with runny nose as well, usually on both sides. It does, says otolaryngologist Raj Sindwani, MD. Treating your allergy symptoms early on can also help prevent your allergies from getting out of control. Read onand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID. After youve tested, call your primary care doctor to schedule an in-person or virtual visit. Your doctor might take a watchful waiting approach to see if your immune system can fight the infection. And after COVID being around for almost 2 years now, it's no surprise that people are starting to become less reactive to it. COVID-19 lasts for about a week or two depending on its severity and your overall health. Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School. In most cases, they resolve without the need for medical care. Is your cold really a sinus infection? Pay close attention to symptoms to determine if cause is sinus infection or allergies. While the chances are much better that you wont need medical attention, you shouldnt hesitate seeking it out if or when you need it. Aside from what causes them, this includes another battery of more unique symptoms. day, 2022 Galvanized Media. COVID-19 often causes sinus and upper respiratory symptoms such as loss of smell, congestion, and a severe headache. Vaccination reduces your risk of COVID death 90% or more. If you suspect you have any of the symptoms mentioned here, get tested ASAP. Emily is a health communication consultant, writer, and editor at EVR Creative, specializing in public health research and health promotion. However, there are several key differences: Primarily, sinus infection arises when the sinusesthe passages connecting the mouth, ears, and eyesare exposed to a virus, bacteria or fungi. Talk to your teens about their mental health. At the same time, it appears anecdotally at least that certain symptoms show up more with omicron than they did with delta. ", How to Reduce Inflammation in the Body Fast, If you suspect you have any of the symptoms mentioned here, get tested ASAP. Often the virus starts with a headache and many think they have a sinus infection. ", Read the original article on Business Insider, Brittany Murray/MediaNews Group/Long Beach Press-Telegram/Getty Images, Jessica Christian/The San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images, Patrick Pleul/Picture Alliance/Getty Images. Patients with severe COVID migraine/headache phenomenon may also suffer from some chronic COVID brain symptoms (like chemo brain for patients receiving toxic chemotherapy). A key difference between the common cold and COVID-19 is the incubation period (time of exposure to an infection and the appearance of the first symptoms). If this persists, smell training therapy can help, though sometimes (rarely) this loss is permanent. doi:10.1177/0194599815572097. Colds are usually transmitted via coughed or exhaled droplets or infected surfaces. The main difference between COVID and a sinus infection is what causes them. Two main symptoms of sinus infections include congestion and pain or pressure in your face, nose, or ears. If you test negative but still have symptoms or were exposed, your doctor might want you to be tested again in a few days. "Many people are still going to be admitted to the ICU, and some people are still going to need to have mechanical ventilation.". Common sinus infection bacteria are often Streptococcus species, Moraxella, or Haemophilus. "What we're seeing is something really tips these patients over the edge," says Roberts. The symptoms of a sinus infection include coughing, congestion fever and headacheall of which are symptoms of COVID-19, too. There are several ways to treat a sinus infection. "In the older age group, it's still a nasty disease, even if it's less [nasty] than the delta variant," says Dr. Pamela Davis, who's a pulmonologist at Case Western Reserve University and a senior author on the new study. However this leaves the susceptible person open to sinus infections and ear infections caused by bacteria that may last for several more weeks. Its also possible to feel foggy and develop a skin rash. A diet rich in antioxidants can help with chronic inflammation. These include: The best way to treat COVID-19 depends on how sick a person is. Omicron seems to be milder, but does seem to cause infections in many people with the vaccine. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets released when someone breathes, coughs, sneezes, talks or sings. For milder cases and those within the first 10 days, over the counter medications and at-home treatments include: Decongestants are not recommended for adults or children with acute sinusitis and should not be used for more than three to five days in order to prevent rebound congestion. You dont necessarily have to see your doctor for your allergies. Learn about treatments to help release the pressure and clear up a toothache. Visit the link below to find UNC Health Care providers. If you know youre allergic to pollen and that pollen season is around the corner, start taking your antihistamine ahead of time. "In this period, we still have delta circulating in the community. Its also possible to have both conditions at the same time. However, sinus infections have rarely been associated with COVID. It's also still not clear how much vaccines and prior infections are responsible for some of these early clinical impressions that omicron is causing a milder constellation of symptoms, says Dr. Daniel Griffin, who's chief of infectious diseases at ProHEALTH in New York and an instructor at Columbia University. While its possible that you have the virus, your symptoms could also be caused by another condition, such as a cold or a sinus infection. Is that winter sniffle a cold or a sinus infection? Dr. Rogers is an otolaryngologist in the Atlanta Georgia (USA) area since 2005 and specializes in seeing chronic sinusitis patients and patients with chronic nasal allergy complaints. South Africa's largest health insurer listed nasal congestion, sore or scratchy throat, dry cough and lower back pain as common Omicron symptoms. COVID-19 and sinus infections both involve the respiratory system. "Cough is still part of the symptoms," Moreno said. Xu and her team estimate that, in their study, about 60% of the people were vaccinated. A study from the U.K. government, published last week, found that three doses of vaccine cuts the risk of hospitalization due to omicron by about 80% compared with a person who's not vaccinated at all. He added, "It's not as bad as it was." Rhinovirus is the most common pathogen, though there are over 200 others, of which certain coronaviruses and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are more often seen. However their natural ventilation tracts tracks can get blocked off allowing for nearby bacteria to take hold and cause painful swelling and infections. Allergies and sinus infections can have similar symptoms. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Lately, he said, people who received a booster shot reported shorter bouts of illness than those who received fewer doses or none at all. "The cough is milder [than previous variants], if there's any cough at all, and fever seems to be a little less common.". Often the focus of treatment involves managing the severity of symptoms as natural immunity takes over. The Zoe study uses a smartphone app to log how hundreds of thousands of people are feeling every day across the UK. The two conditions can have symptoms that overlap, but some symptoms are more likely to occur in one and not the other. Typically, the loss of sense of smell associated with a sinus infection is going to be accompanied by more significant symptoms such as facial pain/pressure. It also details treatment options for both, why a proper diagnosis is important, and when to see your healthcare provider. Sinusitis. ", Omicron is spreading at lightning speed. Heres a quick breakdown: While most coldsand even sinus infectionsclear up on their own, its important to know when you need medical help. Xu and her colleagues found that the risk of needing to go to the ER dropped from about 15% during the delta surge to 5% during the early omicron surge (about a 70% decrease) and the risk of being hospitalized dropped from 4% to 2% (or by 50%). Doctors try not to prescribe antibiotics unless they are definitely necessary because the over-prescription of antibiotics contributes to the rise of bacteria that is resistant to these drugs. "But people who are fresh, with no preexisting immunity, it's hard to see that the virus is milder. And just like earlier variants, omicron can't be defined as causing only a narrow group of symptoms. While sinus infections (also known as sinusitis) share many symptoms with the common cold and can be a complication of it, there are some key differences. As of February 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved two drugs to treat COVID-19: The FDA has granted emergency-use authorizations to a handful of medications that have not yet completed the formal FDA-approval process. Now amidst the Omicron-wave of infections hitting vaccinated and unvaccinated alike, it is clear in our practice we are seeing a lot of exacerbations of sinus infections. At a December news briefing, Ryan Noach, the CEO of Discovery Health, South Africa's largest private health insurer, said Omicron patients commonly reported a scratchy throat first, followed by nasal congestion, dry cough, and body aches. Rosenfeld RM, Piccirillo JF, Chandrasekhar SS, et al. By Emily Brown, MPH Even though early data shows that omicron is milder than delta, many hospitals are packed because the sheer number of people getting infected is enormous. While you may experience a fever, headache, and cough if you have COVID, you can also have these and other respiratory symptoms if you have another infection or condition. Along with nasal congestion and headache, sinusitis causes pain around your cheeks and eyes. COVID-19 is only caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Omicron vs. Allergy Symptoms Though COVID-19 and allergies are caused by significantly different thingsthe SARS-CoV-2 virus and airborne substances like pollen, respectivelythe two can. Get health and wellness tips and information from UNC Health experts once a month! Almost as soon as Omicron started spreading, doctors noticed slight differences in their patients' symptoms relative to prior variants. If you have a negative COVID test, we can see you and determine if you have an actual sinus infection and then determine the best treatment, Dr. Ruff says. Here's How to Look Decades Younger, "While the variant is considered less severe, more people have it than ever before and people are not isolated like in the early phases of the pandemic," says Walker. Feminine Odor Problems? Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. And doctors are finding a key difference among their patients who are ending up in the ER or being admitted: Many are neither struggling to breathe nor dealing with perilously low oxygen levels. Culturing it in a laboratory will reveal which type of bacteria is causing the infection so the right antibiotic can be prescribed. Were hopeful that most people with COVID-19 regain their smell back, but unfortunately many do not. The omicron variant now represents nearly every Covid case sequenced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your doctor will swab your nose to collect mucus. Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. single Learn more about the. Allergies occur as a result of your immune systems reaction to certain allergens, such as pollen, dust, or pet dander. The only way to know what you have for sure is to see a healthcare provider. A sinus infection can take several days to improve, but sometimes youll need prescription medications until you start feeling better at all. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. He is an adjunct assistant professor at Mount Sinai Medical Center and NYU Medical Center. Scientists at Case Western Reserve University analyzed health records from more than a half-million people infected with SARS-CoV-2 across the country, including 14,000 people possibly infected with omicron from Dec. 15 to 24, after the variant became dominant. So maybe it was just something non covid related Anyway she was exhausted and couldn't work. "This is a pretty different surge," says Dr. Brendan Carr, chair of emergency medicine for the Mount Sinai Health System where the emergency rooms are busier than ever but many of the COVID-19 patients are not sick enough to be admitted. Sinusitis is usually caused by a virus, but bacterial infections also can cause it. If they have mild to moderate illness and can stay home, but they have certain medical comorbidities, an antiviral treatment may be offered. Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: The Procedure and Recovery Process. RSV is caused by the respiratory syncytial virus, a highly contagious virus that can infect children and adults. Heather currently freelances for several publications. 2023 UNC Health. Your source for health, wellness, innovation, research and science news from the experts at Ohio State. Cardiology, Health Disparities, Heart and Vascular Health, Heart Attacks, Research, Women's Health. Allergy medications wont get rid of sinus infections, though. To help alleviate your symptoms, stock up on nonprescription pain relievers, fever reducers, decongestants and cough drops. For example, if someone has a mild case, they can generally treat their symptoms at home. "People that are unvaccinated go through a little bit of a longer and tougher course," Moreno said. Whats the best way to remove skin tags, and why do they form in the first place? The overlap in symptoms between COVID-19 and sinus infections (sinusitis) make it difficult to tell the two apart. You are not the only one! Know your treatment options for COVID-19. A sinus infection is diagnosed based on your symptoms and an examination of your nose and face. Theres a powerful story behind every headline at Ohio State Health & Discovery. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Allergy Cough vs. COVID Cough: What Are the Differences? Cases of sinus infection that last longer than 12 weeks are considered chronic. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Common colds. A viral sinus infection will usually begin to improve after five to seven days. With infections at all-time highs in the U.S., the clinical picture is now coming together and starting to confirm what other countries have found a typical case of omicron not only presents slightly differently but also likely carries a lower chance of getting seriously ill. Scientists at Case Western Reserve University have preliminary evidence that the risk of being admitted to the hospital or the intensive care unit during the omicron surge in the U.S. is about half of the risk observed during the delta surge. How long are you most contagious after a COVID-19 infection? I have started using montelukast orally post-covid to help block leukotriene cytokine response in the covid sinus patients. We are also seeing a higher number of unvaccinated and unboosted people getting hospitalized." Still, these two conditions have different causes and symptoms.